Chronic pain can make it difficult to concentrate on work, exercise, and enjoy your downtime. As taking pharmaceuticals to ease symptoms can lead to dependency, many people are turning to other avenues for pain management, including mindfulness. Meditation exercises are tailored to prompt the body and mind to relax. This keeps discomfort minimal when a pain response is triggered. To determine whether this holistic approach to pain relief is right for you, learn more about mindfulness here. 

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a state of heightened awareness. A person perceives what’s happening in the moment and interprets it without judgment. Chronic pain can conjure feelings of anxiety, fear, and depression. The negative emotions associated with pain can make an episode even worse. Mindfulness exercises are taught by counselors during therapy sessions. A person learns to dismiss their preconceived notions about pain and expectations for relief. Instead of concentrating on the pain sensations, they focus on breathing to trigger a relaxation response.  

How Can You Use Mindfulness in Practice? 

For mindfulness meditation, sit in an area that evokes feelings of calmness, such as the backyard or a quiet room in your house. When you feel pain, concentrate on your breathing and acknowledge the uncomfortable sensations without judgment. Quietly tell yourself the discomfort will subside but don’t dwell on it. This way, you can return to the present moment. Many people practice mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy to not only manage their thoughts but also get to the root cause of them.

To try mindfulness for pain management, contact the therapists at Hypnosis Works Wonders in Marietta, GA. The clinic provides hypnotherapy to help Cobb County residents minimize pain, curb bad behaviors, and achieve their goals to improve their quality of life. Visit the certified hypnotherapists online to see how treatments are tailored to improve physical and mental health. Call (404) 245-1530 for an appointment and let others know how therapy has helped you on Facebook.